Residency ruling set to split family

By THERESA GARNER immigration reporter

A fit American builder is being ejected from New Zealand because he may one day be a burden on the health system.

The immigration decision over Glenn Cliver, who has hepatitis C, is forcing his New Zealand wife, Jan, to choose between her husband and her granddaughter.

About 25,000 New Zealanders have hepatitis C, which can cause fatal liver disease.

A new Government policy on health screening for migrants is expected to be announced in the next few weeks.

A review began last year to look at whether mandatory screening of refugees, asylum-seekers and immigrants was needed. It also looked at whether NZ should reject potential migrants who have diseases that require high-cost healthcare.

New Zealand relies on the honesty of people applying for residency to admit they have serious diseases.

The Cliver case has been considered at the highest level, with Prime Minister Helen Clark writing back to Mrs Cliver in September to say she "naturally" had sympathy for her concerns but that it was not her "normal practice" to intervene in an operational matter.

"I can assure you that the decision which has been arrived at is one which has been weighed thoroughly."

Mrs Cliver, who is 56, married her 50-year-old husband six years ago after a long-distance internet romance. The couple have lived on the North Shore for five years.

"I was brought up on New Zealand school milk. I had my babies here," Mrs Cliver said yesterday.

She said she was a "mess" over her dilemma. "To make this dreadful choice between allowing my husband to return to the USA alone and we divorce, or if I go with him, leaving behind my only other family - my daughter and 6-year-old granddaughter," Mrs Cliver said.

Mr Cliver was told in January that his residency application had failed on medical grounds.

His specialist had told immigration officials that there were no clinical signs of cirrhosis but if it was present then there was perhaps a 4-5 per cent risk per year of complications.

"Optimal treatment should lead to a cure of his hepatitis C in approximately 40 to 60 per cent of cases. If Mr Cliver does not have liver cirrhosis, successful treatment should cure him of his problem and hepatitis C should no longer have any impact on his longevity."

Rejecting Mr Cliver's application, the Immigration Service said its consultant physician was "under the view that you would be a burden to the New Zealand health system if you were granted residence".

"You have hepatitis C with abnormal liver function tests and this is very expensive to manage."

Mr Cliver insists he would never be eligible for a liver transplant in New Zealand in any event, because he would be too old by the time the need developed.

He said he felt completely well, and the doctor's reports showed there were no symptoms. He is not on any medication. Many patients never develop liver disease and die of other causes.

After appealing to Associate Immigration Minister Damien O'Connor, Mr Cliver was allowed a further 12-month work permit to earn enough money to leave the country. That expires in July.

Mr Cliver said he had worked non-stop for five years, paying $40,000 in tax and $10,000 in ACC payments. He was willing to stay on a work permit and not accept any New Zealand healthcare, but receive treatment from a US Army veterans hospital in Hawaii.

He believes he contracted the virus serving in the US Army in the Vietnam era, when it was common practice for medical personnel to reuse needles and lancets. The diagnosis came only after he arrived in New Zealand and saw his doctor for a sore back.

The Government's decision has shocked Hepatitis Foundation chief executive John Hornell. "It is beyond belief."

The Immigration Service declined to comment last night on the Cliver case despite Mr Cliver giving his consent.

What treatment may cost

* The costs, according to Mr Cliver's specialist:

Biopsy: $1100.

Anti-viral treatment: $54,000.

Consultation charges: $2000.

* The costs, according to the Immigration Service consultant physician:

Treatment (if required): $200 a month.

Liver transplant (if required): $200,000.